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Honduras vs Switzerland: World Cup 2014 match preview

A look ahead to Switzerland’s effort to join France in the next round

Konstantinos Lianos

Wednesday 25 June 2014 13:53 BST

Haris Seferovic of Switzerland celebrates with his team-mates (Getty images)

Switzerland’s demise last week from France has found the team in a rather precarious position as they need to beat Honduras at all costs and hope that Ecuador do not beat the possibly indifferent group leaders.

Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side will have to make sure that all wounds caused from the France defeat are now healed as Honduras will be coming into this match with quite some interest as they as well are not yet officially out of the World Cup. La Nati will be missing the services of centre-back Steve von Bergen who broke a cheekbone against Les Tricolores and as a result has been ruled out of the rest of the competition.

Honduras are hoping for a miracle to go through which would occur if Ecuador lost to France and the Hondurans beat Switzerland by scoring a substantial number of goals.. It is all hands on deck for manager Luis Fernando Suarez that will be counting a lot on his two strikers Carlo Costly and Jerry Bengtson who showed some better signs last week as the duo’s performance led to the team’s first World Cup goal since 1982.

KICK-OFF: Wednesday, 9pm

PAST MEETING:

Switzerland 0 Honduras 0, World Cup, June 2010

Switzerland 2 France 5 player ratings

Show all 22

1/22Switzerland 2 France 5 player ratings

Switzerland 2 France 5 player ratings

Diego Benaglio

Any afternoon in which you concede five goals at a World Cup is going to produce a low score but a fine penalty save prevents it from sinking too deep on the charts. 4

Switzerland 2 France 5 player ratings

Stephen Lichtsteiner

Ineffective and weak into the tackle, Lichsteiner struggled to deal with Benzema and Matuidi all evening. With both of them ultimately scoring, blame must fall at his door. 5

Switzerland 2 France 5 player ratings

Ricardo Rodriguez

Was tasked with containing both Valbuena and Sissoko but, with both players hitting the back of the net, it must be said that he ultimately failed in this task. Will be doing his best not to remember this game in a hurry. 5

Switzerland 2 France 5 player ratings

Johan Djourou

A poor challenge to give away the penalty, when coupled with a timid display in defence, inevitably summed up Switzerland’s night. 5

Switzerland 2 France 5 player ratings

Steve Von Bergen

Injured early into the game but looked decent until an eye-watering plight ended his evening. 6

Switzerland 2 France 5 player ratings

Gokhan Inler

Played some thoroughly decent balls through the French defence but was also guilty of a number of criminal lapses of concentration which cost the Swiss dearly. 6

Switzerland 2 France 5 player ratings

Xherdan Shaqiri

Was expected to achieve more this summer but was always going to struggle when faced with such a physically intimidating French side. Tried hard to squeeze into the gaps but France were up to any challenge which he posed. 6

Switzerland 2 France 5 player ratings

Valon Behrami

A threat on many occasions, and a tireless worker in the heart of Switzerland’s midfield, this was a decent display among the poor showings of his teammates. One of the few Swiss players to turn up. 7

Switzerland 2 France 5 player ratings

Haris Seferovic

Made no impact on the game and often hindered any Switzerland foray into the French half rather than aiding them. A poor day at the office. 5

Switzerland 2 France 5 player ratings

Admir Mehmedi

While doing very little on the wing, Mehmedi was forced to come into the central positions more often and actually put in a good shift in front of the defence. 6

Switzerland 2 France 5 player ratings

Granit Xhaka

An exquisite strike in the latter stages saved what was an otherwise poor display. Will have to improve in the next match if Ottmar Hitzfeld’s men are to progress. 6

Switzerland 2 France 5 player ratings

Hugo Lloris

Didn’t have much to do throughout but there was nothing to be done about either of Switzerland’s late goals, this was a decent outing for Tottenham Hotspur’s no. 1. Will be disappointed to have conceded twice nonetheless. 6

Getty Images

Switzerland 2 France 5 player ratings

Mathieu Debuchy

Joined the Les Bleus attack on a few occasions and did his job competently at the back. 7

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Switzerland 2 France 5 player ratings

Patrice Evra

Was desperately unlucky not to score in the second half, after electing to use his left foot when his right may have been a better choice, but was defensively solid. A different player to the one we saw in 2010. 7

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Switzerland 2 France 5 player ratings

Mamadou Sakho

While inconsistent for Liverpool in the Premier League, Sakho is a different player in a France shirt. Already a cult hero after his goals had secured their place in this summer’s World Cup, displays like this won’t do his stock any harm at all. 7

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Switzerland 2 France 5 player ratings

Raphael Varane

The Real Madrid defender was superb when faced with the attacking flair of his Swiss opponents. Strong into the tackle and effective in the air, young aspiring centre-backs should watch Verane play more often. 7

Getty Images

Switzerland 2 France 5 player ratings

Blaise Matuidi

A tricky customer at the best of times, the 27-year-old Paris Saint Germain player was real pest who Switzerland struggled to deal with throughout tonight’s clash. Defined France’s display with power and precision. 8

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Switzerland 2 France 5 player ratings

Mathieu Valbuena

Fully deserving of his goal, Valbuena continues to be an example to his peers. Powerful on the break – as well as showing patience when required – this was a masterful midfield performance. 8

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Switzerland 2 France 5 player ratings

Yohan Cabaye

A fine display from a player who has gone from strength to strength since his move to Paris Saint Germain. Now an essential player for the national side, Cabaye was superb once again. 7.5

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Switzerland 2 France 5 player ratings

Moussa Sissoko

While British audiences may be surprised to see the Newcastle United man in France’s starting eleven, Sissoko is an invaluable member of Didier Deschamp's side. He proved it yet again today and even got on the score sheet. 7

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Switzerland 2 France 5 player ratings

Olivier Giroud

Had a point to prove after announcing his displeasure at not starting France’s opening game and made it in style. A great, towering header gave him a perfect start to his World Cup. 8

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Switzerland 2 France 5 player ratings

Karim Benzema

Unlucky not to have got a hat-trick, after missing a penalty and falling foul to an ill-timed full-time whistle – the Real Madrid big man continues to prove his quality. Could even leave Brazil with the Golden Boot if this rich vein of form continues. 8.5

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STATS:

Last week, Honduras striker Carlo Costly scored his nation’s first World Cup goal after five games.

La H have never picked up a win at the World Cup and now count five losses in eight matches.

Switzerland have scored 10 of their last 12 World Cup goals during second half.

Swiss left-back Ricardo Rodriguez produced nine assists at Wolfsburg this past season, which is more than any other defender at the Bundesliga.

ODDS:

Honduras to win: 8.1

Switzerland to win: 4.9

Draw: 7.2

TV: Live on BBC Three at 9pm

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